New statistics show outbound tourists rising by 20.3 per cent

Outbound Maltese tourists for November are estimated at 19,834, implying an increase of 20.3 per cent over the same month last year. Of these 93.9 per cent travelled by air.

In the month under review, Maltese residents departing by air and sea are estimated at 19,834. Of these 16,316, travelled to European Union destinations, the most popular being the UK and Italy.

Between January and November 2007, the number of Maltese passengers departing by air and sea amounted to 254,658, an increase of 9.1 per cent over the same period last year. Of these 85.3 per cent travelled to European Union destinations, the most visited countries being Italy and the UK.

During this period, male outbound passengers exceeded female ones, the former accounting for 58.4 per cent of the total.

The largest proportion of outbound passengers – 45.9 per cent – comprised passengers aged between 25 and 44 years, followed by those in the 45-64 age bracket who accounted for 39.4 per cent of the total outbound Maltese tourists